The Vaonis Vespera telescope supports a few snap-on filters from Vespera, such as the Vespera Dual Band Filter (H-alpha and O-III), Vespera Light Pollution Filter, and Vespera Solar Filter. For more advanced filtering use-cases, however, the Vespera does not have threads or accessories to attach standard telescope filters. Vaonis does, however, sell the Vespera Lens Ring that takes the places of filters when not using a filter. In order to attach standard 2″ telescope filters to the Vespera, the Vespera Lens Ring can be modified to add standard telescope threading. This post covers the approach I took to do so. If you plan to take a similar approach, I recommend purchasing a couple extra Vespera Lens Rings so that you can keep your original and have a spare in-case one gets broken in the process (they are plastic): https://vaonis.com/product/vespera-lens-ring-spare-part
My original plan was to attach the Astromania 2″ Wheel Attachment to the Vespera Lens Ring. However, it is much too large and heavy for the Vespera telescope arm.
Instead, I took the two smaller threaded pieces from the Astromania wheel (the two shown in the image below directly to the left and right of the wheel opening):
I then disassembled the Vaonis Lens Ring (it is two plastic pieces snapped together, used a small flat screw driver to unclip the two pieces from each other) and inserted the larger threaded piece from the Astromania wheel into the larger plastic piece (the one with the tab on it).
In order to attach the back portion of the Vaonis Lens Ring I had to trim the inner rim to allow space for the threaded metal piece using a box cutter knife.
With the inner plastic rim trimmed, the back snapped together with the other piece of the Vaonis Lens Ring with everything fitting together nicely.
Then, to allow attaching 2″ filters, I attached the other metal ring from the Astromania wheel.
Now, I am able to attach any standard 2″ telescope filter to the Vespera.
An important word of caution: DO NOT CLOSE THE ARM OF THE VESPERA WITH THE LENS RING OR FILTERS ATTACHED. The arm does not have enough clearance to close the arm without causing damage.
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Nicely done, just what the scope needed. This mod adds so many possibilities. I can’t wait to get mine finished since I have some filters left over from my previous life.
Thanks again for sharing
Tom
Thanks. It worked for me.
What filters would you recommend?
There are a few filters that I like:
– Optolong 2″ L-Pro Light Pollution Filter – https://amzn.to/3R9xcq0
– Baader 6.5nm Narrowband 2″ CMOS Optimized Filter Set – Ha, OIII, SII – https://www.highpointscientific.com/baader-6-5nm-narrowband-2-inch-cmos-optimized-filter-set-ha-oiii-sii-fcsetn-2
Did you use a resistor (21.7k ohm for dual band) or did you manually set the db gain after you installed the filter?
Your article is well written and concise. The steps are easy to follow and understand. I have my “parts” now, I confused about how to tell the Vesperia which filter I am using or is the type of filter I use not that important?
Thanks in advance
Tom
Hi Tom,
The Vespera doesn’t know it has a filter attached to it unless it’s one of the “official” ones. However, it doesn’t really matter. It captures the images the same way regardless.
Thanks,
John
Hi John,
Excellent article, many thanks.
One question, do you think I can create a solar filter using this lens fing and installing in it a solar paper filter ?
Will I then be able to use it to watch the sun as if I had installed the original “Solar filter” from manufacturer?
Many thanks
Fabrice
Hi Fabrice,
The simplest/safest approach would probably be to use the official one from Vaonis.
If you wanted to try the homemade approach, you could try:
1. Start with the “blank” lens ring (https://vaonis.com/product/vespera-lens-ring-spare-part)
2. Disassemble the lens ring with a flat screwdriver or butter knife (the two pieces are just snapped together)
3. Cut and place the solar paper filter in-between the two pieces
4. Snap the pieces back together
Thanks,
John
So OK I got pre-filters built for the Vespera to work well, my solar filter is not recognized by Vespera, anyone know if a workaround for using a diy solar filter for this scope
Vespera recognizes the original filters with its contacts on the filter holder. You need to touch both pins with an resistor with the following values:
* 4.7kΩ: the Solar filter is installed
* 10kΩ: the CLS filter is installed
* 22kΩ: the dual band (DB) narrowband filter is installed
where are this point to insert the reistor? do you have al link to look about? thank you
I thought it was 21.7k ohm for dual band? Or does it not matter if you use 22k ohm because it’s so close to 21.7k ohms?
hi this is really great. Does the Vespera do anything to the images with the official filter installed, like up the gain or is the resistor value just needed to show up in the app and is purely for info only
do i have to solder the resister to the pins on the holder
thank you